Here is our menu from last week since I will probably never be organized enough to plan a week ahead. I hope you find some inspiration and I would love to know what you are having for dinner. (I need some inspiration too.) Feel free to share your menu ideas or links to your favorite recipes in the comments.

After trick or treating tonight we were cold and came in for some hot cocoa. There is nothing like a mug of homemade hot chocolate on a cold Winter night. It is really simple to make. I always use the recipe on the Hershey's Cocoa box. Serve with whipped cream if you like.

1. Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in saucepan; stir in water.2. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture boils; boil and stir 2 minutes.3. Stir in milk and heat. DO NOT BOIL. 4. Remove from heat; add vanilla.

Whipped Cream:

Whipping CreamGranulated sugar or confectioners sugarVanilla

1. Using an electric mixer, whip cream with sugar and vanilla until it reaches desired consistency.

I use 1/2 to 1 tsp. vanilla and 2 to 3 Tbsp. sugar for each cup of whipping cream. You can use more or less sugar and vanilla depending on your preference. Honestly, I don't usuasally measure when whipping cream.

I made the boys homemade trick or treat bags this year. They have already used them a couple of times for Halloween parties and they have held up well. I found some templates for pumpkin carving and used them for stencils to make the Halloween designs on the front of the bags. I bought pre-cut felt letters to make it easy. I love this owl. I am going to make an owl trick or treat bag for our youngest (next year - he's still young for candy so I didn't stress out trying to get three of these done).

I used a stencil to cut out the design for the front of the bag then I used felt glue to glue the design down.

I bought pre-cut felt squares at the craft store. I used a whole square for the front and back. I cut a square in half legnthwise for the sides. Then I placed the cut side piece on a pre-cut square to cut the correct width for the bottom piece.

I cut two full legnth strips for the handles.

Once you have all of your cut pieces you are ready to begin sewing. First sew the handles to the inside top portion of your front and back panels.

Next sew the sides together leaving a little room at the bottom to sew on the bottom panel.

This is one of the easiest recipes you can make. We really enjoyed this last night and tonight as leftovers. This recipe is slightly adapted from The Country Cook. My husband said this is great gameday food. I bought Chuck Roast at ALDI that was labeled as boneless Chuck ribs. It was actually just a cut up chuck roast and worked perfectly in this recipe. I bought 2 packages about 1 1/2 lb. each. They were both reduced for quick sale and had $4 off stickers on them. I was able to get the roast for more than 50% off this way. If you purchase meat that is reduced for quick sale, make sure to freeze or use it right away.

This is so easy. Put meat in your crock pot. Combine dressing mix, 1/2 jar or more of peppers with juice, can of beef broth or about 1 1/4 cup homemade broth. Pour this mixture over the roast. Cook on low for about 8 hours. Remove meat and slice or shred, then return to juices in the crockpot.

Apple & Eve Fruitables 8 pack juice boxes were only 49 cents per 8 pack. I really stocked up and donated some to the food pantry at church. Bubba Burgers 2 lb. packages were $3.99 a box. That's around $2 a lb. which is a steal.

There were lots of grocery and household items on clearance. Prices and supply may vary from store to store. I always check the expiration dates on clearanced grocery items and these were all good until next summer.

Welcome to Home Ec @ Home

Hi, I'm Faith, a former Family and Consumer Science (Home Economics) Teacher turned work at home Mom, bringing you family friendly, homemade recipes and homemaking tips to simplify your life. Join me on my homemaking and mothering journey.